Lonely Wind

Hello from a Starbucks on Clinton Street, It is in downtown Iowa City, where I once wandered as a student in 1982. Hard to believe it was that long ago, but it is the beginning of another academic year and there are students everywhere. I have been managing things as I work toward getting seriousContinue reading “Lonely Wind”

American Gothic and My Iowa Roots

Hello from rural Mallard, It’s about the end of the day, the sun is setting, I can smell livestock from the hog containment facility down the road, and yes, there are flies (scads of them). It was a productive day as I got the weather stripping for the main bus door ordered, and the majorityContinue reading “American Gothic and My Iowa Roots”

Aspiration is Life

Hello from the Main Bus Station in Kraków, This is when this post began, but the lack of synchronization with devices from WordPress seems to have lost it. However, with minimal revision, the post remains relevant. Reflection is a central element of life for me. Recounting, reimagining, reconsidering what has happened, where I have been,Continue reading “Aspiration is Life”

“There’s Just Life”

Buenas tardes por Murcia, La semana ha volado, pero creo que lo mismo podría decirse de las tres semanas aproximadamente que he pasado en Europa. Powrót do miejsc, w których już byłem, a także odkrywanie nowych miejsc w różnych krajach lub w obrębie tego samego miasta pozwala mi rozwijać moją perspektywę, ponieważ zmienia się mojeContinue reading ““There’s Just Life””

Truly Unexpected or Simply Avoided

Hello from the Beetle, I am waiting to meet someone, preparing to share breakfast and listen to their stories about being in a new place for their summer. Four amazing young people have traveled from Quito and Cuenca in Ecuador to spend a summer learning new skills in the restaurant, and in some ways theyContinue reading “Truly Unexpected or Simply Avoided”

Hej fra Humlebæk

Indeed, Hej fra Humlebæk! I am back two years later almost to the day to visit Anton, Carla, Anne Marie, and Hans Christian. My first visit for Anton’s graduation from gymnasium was wonderful, and now, returning again to their beautiful little village on the coast is as tremendous as the first time, but having aContinue reading “Hej fra Humlebæk”

Prayers and Promises

Hello on another rainy evening in Pennsylvania, While I asserted we needed some substantial rain back in April, when showers are expected, it is now mid-June and the showers, drizzle, downpours, and incessant forms of precipitation continue. There have been flood warnings more than once, and yet, on a positive note, things are as greenContinue reading “Prayers and Promises”

Remembering Susan

Hello from Starbucks on the campus, It is an incredibly beautiful fall day, and the colors are spectacular. I spoke with the women painting the townhouse, and they were impressed at how clean I left everything, which meant a lot because they see a lot of stuff. It is strange to feel a bit homelessContinue reading “Remembering Susan”

Another Year and Some New Thoughts

Hello from Panera Bread, While I am usually writing from home, I am banned from my home and the Acre for a bit because the house is being shown. There has been some genuine interest this week, or so it seems. I am to an expert at these things, so I am depending on myContinue reading “Another Year and Some New Thoughts”

Imagining a Century

Hello from my office at school, It has been a “manage-the-details” day. I am the chair of our department sabbatical committee, director of departmental internships, and an advisor to a couple of student groups. Each area needed attention today. I think I have about 95% of all the issues answered, but there is always somethingContinue reading “Imagining a Century”